Ornament



Sept. 23, 1941.

R. C. STEEPLE ORNAMENT Filed Dec. 6, 1959 INVENTOR ZEG/NHLD -C- .57'EEPLE BY 6% ,y/u.

H/fi ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED S'IATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,256,584 ORNAMENT Reginald o. Steeple, San Mateo, Calif.

Application December 6, 1939, Serial No. 307,791

8 Claims. (01. 41-10) My invention relates to an article for decorative purposes, such as a Christmas tree ornament.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide an ornament folded of thin sheet material in a manner adapted for simulatin objects such as a flying bird.

Another object is to provide an ornament of the character described having upfolded portions forming silhouettes of different configuration.

Still another object includes the provision of an ornament having folded portions curved to flare outwardly to give width to the ornament, and having light reflecting surfaces to give a dazzling effect when light rays strike the ornament.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof, within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a bird ornament embodying my invention; and

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bell ornament embodying my invention; and

I Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same.

In terms of broad inclusion, my ornament comprises a thin sheet of material, such as metal, having portions folded up on each side of a center line, and means for fastening the folded portions together. In an ornament simulating a flying bird the upfolded portions form the wings, and are preferably shaped to form wing silhouettes of different configuration. The wing portions are preferably curved to flare outwardly to give width to the ornament and to produce the effect of action. My structure is also adapted to simulate a bell, in which a sheet is cut to form a pair of bell-shaped body portions connected by a clapper strip, and the blank is folded about a center line passing through the clapper strip. The upfolded portions in this case are of like configuration, and are curved to flare outwardly to give the effect of a three dimensional object.

In greater detail, and referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, my ornament as adapted to simulate a bird comprises a blank of thin sheet material, such as light gauge metal, having a body portion 2, tail portions 3, head portions 4 and wing portions 5. The blank is folded up on each side of a center line through the body, head wardly into silhouettes of different configuration. One of the wings preferably extends forwardly and the other rearwardly to simulate a bird in flight, and the wings are preferably curved so that the tips flare outwardly to further enhance the effect of flight action.

When the side portions of the blank are folded upwardly the body 2 is preferably formed into an arcuate trough shape to present a smoothly curved outer surface simulating the body of a bird. Tail portions 3 project rearwardly from the body and are preferably flared outwardly; and forwardly projecting head portions 4 are preferably converged by a tight fold 6 to bring the beak portions 1 to a point. The blank is preferably formed with serrated or scalloped edges 8 and 9 along the tail and wing portions to give the effect of feather edges, and score lines II are preferably provided in these portions to further enhance the feathered effect.

Upfolded wing portions 5 lie back to back and are fastened by any suitable means, such as by a staple [3. Supporting means such as a cord I4 is secured by staple I3, by which the ornament may be suspended.

The thin sheet metal from which the ornament is made is preferably polished or otherwise treated to give light reflecting surfaces. I have used nickel and chromium plated aluminum sheets of very light gauge with good results. If desired one or both sides of the sheet may be colored by a lacquer or other suitable coating. Such a bird ornament swings about suspension cord [4, so that light plays and dances across the light reflecting surfaces, giving a striking effect. It is understood of course that other flying objects, such as butterflies, maybe simulated in the same way.

Figures 3 and 4 show a bell-shaped ornament having side portions I6 of a blank folded up about a center line and fastened by a staple ll with a suspension cord I8 in a manner similar to the bird ornament. In this case upfolded portions 15 are bell shaped and form silhouettes of like configuration. Bell portions I6 are connected by a center strip l9, about which the blank is folded, and this strip is shaped to simulate a clapper for the bell portions. When the bell portions are folded up they are brought in back to back relationship with the upper ends lying together at staple I1.

From the point of fastening the bell portions preferably diverge downwardly so that the two halves are spaced apart adjacent clapper strip l9.

and tail portions to extend the wing portions up- This divergence gives greater spread to the lower portions of the ornament. Bell portions H; are also preferably curved to flare outwardly, thus providing greater width to the ornament and giving the effect of a three dimensional object. When viewed from an angle, as shown in Figure 3, the diametrically opposite flaring sides of the two half portions l6 form a silhouette of the bell, so that the outline of a bell is seen from whatever angle the ornament may be viewed.

For interesting lightreflections one or both sides ofithe sheet may be colored. I have secured a good effect with a sheet lacquered bright red on one side and folded with the plain light reflecting faces on the opposed sides of the bell portions and with the lacquered faces on the outer sides of the bell portions. If desired the blank from which the ornament is folded may be scored with lines 2! to further enhance the bell effect.

I claim: 1..A.bi rd ornament comprising a blank having a body portion and wing portions extending from thebodyportion, said blank being folded up on each side of a center line through the body'portion to position the wing portions back to back.

2. A bird ornament comprising a blank having a body portion and wing portions extending from the body portion, said blank being folded upon each sideof a center line throughthe body portionto project the wing portions upwardly into silhouettes of different configuration. i

3. A bird ornament of sheet material having an. arcuate, trough-shaped body portion, outwardly flaring tail portions extending rearwardly from said body, converging head portions extendingforwardly from the body, and outwardly flaring wing portions projecting upwardly from the body. 4. A bird ornament of sheet material having an arcuate, trough-shaped body portion, outwardly flaring tail portions extending rearwardly from said body, converging head portions extending forwardly from the body, and outwardly flaring wing portions projecting upwardly from the body, one of said wing portions extending forwardly and the other rearwardly. 5. A bell ornament comprising a blank having a pair of bell-shaped body portions connected by a clapper strip, said blank being folded about a center line through the clapper strip to position the body portions back to back.

6. A bell ornament of sheet material having a pair of outwardly flaring, bell-shaped body portions lyingback to back. and connected clapper portions depending from the body portions.

'7. A bell ornament of sheet material having a pair of outwardly flaring, bell-shaped body portions lying'back to back, and connected clapper portions depending from the body portions, said body portions being spacedvapart adjacent said clapper portions.

8. A hanging ornament comprising half-portions of predetermined configuration extending upwardly from an intermediate fold to position the half-portions back to back, said half-portions being spaced apart adjacent the fold and converging upwardly toward a point of support, suspension means, and means at saidpoint for fastening thehalf-portions together and securing 'the' same to the suspension means.

REGINALD C. STEEPLE. 

